What to Do If Your Driver's License Has Expired for One Month Without Renewal?
3 Answers
Three one-inch white-background color photos of yourself; physical condition certificate. Generally, a physical condition certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution or a military medical institution at the regimental level or above is required. After arriving at the vehicle management office, obtain and fill out the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form," which requires pasting photos on the form. Submit the original driver's license, physical condition certificate, "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form," and personal photos to the vehicle management office where the driver's license was originally issued to apply for a replacement.
I know all about driving licenses expiring without renewal for a month—a friend of mine went through this last year. Stop driving immediately. According to traffic laws, driving even one day after expiration counts as unlicensed driving, which can result in a 2,000-yuan fine and possible detention. Don’t panic—if it’s been less than a year, you can still renew it normally. Bring your ID card and old license, get a 20-yuan medical checkup (eye test and limb mobility) at a hospital, then head straight to the DMV. Some cities now allow renewal via the 12123 traffic management app to skip queues, but the medical check must still be done in person. The key is to take care of it today—if you delay and get into an accident, insurance won’t cover it, and the loss will far outweigh the gain.
Don't panic if your driver's license is one month overdue. I've helped others with similar situations. The regulations are quite lenient, allowing normal renewal within one year after expiration. For now, avoid driving immediately—opt for ride-hailing or public transport to renew your license. Required documents are simple: original ID card, old driver's license, three one-inch white-background photos, plus a medical examination report from a hospital. Arrive at the DMV by 8 AM to avoid crowds; the process takes about 30 minutes. If you've lost your old license, don't worry—just apply for a replacement first before renewal. Most importantly, remember that driving during the renewal period could lead to vehicle impoundment and affect future license upgrades if caught.
